Year2 lists a bunch of reasons why the SEC coaches voted Aaron Murray pre-season all-SEC ahead of that Johnny guy. It’s an okay list, and Year2 acknowledges the vote really means little in the grand scheme of things, but there’s another possibility he’s overlooked. So let me tell you a story.

Imagine a bunch of the coaches going out for a drink or two at SEC Media Days. They’ve already been relieved of the burden of having to vote then, so nobody can repeat Spurrier’s grave sin of forgetting to cast a vote for the GPOOE™ with the media present. But after spending half an hour bitching about scheduling, they grow bored.

They crack a few Finebaum jokes – Saban’s is the funniest, of course – then Les Miles looks up and says “hey, how do you think ESPN would react if we voted Aaron Murray first team all-SEC?” Mark Richt smiles and says, “that would be great for Aaron and I’m sure ESPN would give him the proper attention for that.” Miles stares at Richt, perhaps wishing for a piece of grass to gnaw, and responds, “you kidding, Professor? It’ll be all about Johnny Football.”

Richt shakes his head. “No way. All those passing records, and possibly a third straight appearance in the SECCG? Aaron would be the story.” Sumlin thinks to himself, “man, this guy’s more delusional than our fan base.”

And then Miles says it: “I’ll bet you five bucks I’m right, Mark.” Richt immediately takes the bet. The rest of the coaches follow. And the vote is taken.

Quote Of The Day

“It brings back a great Bulldog running back in Thomas who has NFL playing experience and has had success as a college coach at multiple schools. He also inherits a position that has been built to an elite level by Bryan. And it gives Bryan the opportunity to return to coaching the position he played and the one where he cut his teeth serving as a graduate assistant under wide receiver coach John Eason here at UGA. It also provides him with a new experience as a passing game coordinator.” -- Mark Richt, AB-H, 2/16/15